Sweets: Expert Guides and Resources

Chocolate truffles seem so decadent, but they're deceptively inexpensive to make — so they're perfect for gifts for Valentine's Day, Christmas, and birthdays. Homemade chocolate truffles can be every bit as smooth and rich as the ones from gourmet chocolatiers. Just be sure to use the very best chocolate you can afford when making this recipe.

Caramel corn makes a great treat for Halloween parties. This tasty treat includes three types of nuts and it’s bound to please your little goblins and ghosts and anyone else who likes the rich flavor and crunch of caramel corn. ©Wagner / Adobe Stock Nutty Caramel Corn Preparation time: 20 to 30 minutes plus 20 to 30 minutes for coolingYield: 8 servingsIngredients: 10 cups popped popcorn 1-1/2 cups granulated sugar 1/2 dark brown sugar, packed 1/2 cup corn syrup 1/2 cup water 2 tablespoons butter 1 cup raw whole almonds 1/2 cup whole raw cashews 3/4 raw pecan halves 2 teaspoons salt 2 teaspoons baking soda Instructions: Rinse a large stainless steel bowl with hot water and dry well (this heats the bowl).

Following a few foolproof baking tips will make baking cookies a fun and delicious experience. If you run out of an ingredient while making cookies, you can find a substitution, or you can reduce the fat in your favorite cookie without compromising its quality. Adding icing to your cookies makes them even more fun.

If you're having a love affair with chocolate, this recipe will only deepen your devotion. Two separate chocolate fillings are swirled together in this tart to make a striking marble effect. Although the marble two-chocolate tart looks like it may have taken all day to prepare, it’s really easy to make.Preparation time: 4 hours (includes chilling)Cooking time: 22 minutesYield: 16 servings 2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar 2 cups flour Pinch of salt 1 1/4 sticks (1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons) butter, chilled 2 eggs 2 tablespoons cold water 2/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons heavy cream 10 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 2 ounces white chocolate Sift the confectioners’ sugar.

As a candy-maker, you need specific tools and utensils. Some, like measuring cups and spoons, you probably already have and use; others, like a candy thermometer and a marble slab, don’t see much service unless you’re making candy. Keep the following tools on hand for your candy-making efforts: Baking pans Me

You need some special utensils and skills for candy making, as well as some special (and yummy) ingredients. After you learn how to temper chocolate (people eating chocolate are generally in a good temper, but that’s not the same thing), you can take off and start giving your candy as gifts — and you probably have some friends who’d be happy to help eat your mistakes, too!

Looking for a new dessert to make for your next holiday or dinner party? This recipe for apple bites is sure to be a hit during the fall and winter seasons. 1 large red apple Half a stick of butter Pinch of cinnamon Pinch of brown sugar 1 can crescent dough Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Cut the apple into 8 equal sized slices.

Who doesn't love the combo of pumpkin and cream cheese in a dessert recipe? This delicious pumpkin cheesecake parfait is easy to throw together for your next party or holiday gathering. Two 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened 3 cups cold heavy cream 1 cup plus 3 tablespoons confectioners' sugar, divided One 15-ounce can pumpkin 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, 2 cups heavy cream, and 1 cup confectioners' sugar with a mixer at medium-high speed for 5 to 6 minutes or until thickened and fluffy.

Decorating your holiday cookies can be fun and easy! You can decorate holiday cutout cookie shapes using colored icing, an icing bag, and a few icing tips. Remember: Let the cookies cool completely before frosting. When loading icing in the icing bag, fold the ends outward to get icing closer to the tip. Keep continuous pressure on the icing bag while decorating.